But on a night when his team debuted a new coach, a new offense and eight new players, this was anything but a typical performance. A man with some of the game’s best low-post moves delivered a 14-point night on 6-for-8 shooting not so much with his many gyrations underneath the basket — but with a refined jump shot created by portions of the mysterious “triangle” offense installed quickly by coach Kurt Rambis.
When told there is much more to Rambis’ playbook, Jefferson couldn’t believe it.
“That’s scary,” he said. “It shows how good we can get in this system.”
The Rambis Era got off to a positive start. With players attacking the basket more in Rambis’ version of the triangle offense, the Wolves sank 50 of 56 free-throw attempts, including 14 of 15 by rookie point guard Jonny Flynn.
Flynn failed to make a field goal in five attempts, but he had more assists (seven) than turnovers (three) in his NBA debut.
“I can’t begin to describe how much more comfortable I feel this training camp,” he said. “We have a different coach, a different front office, and a lot of different players, but as far being relaxed and focusing on what I have to do, it’s like night and day.”
Love said he wants to continue improving all facets of his game but would particularly like to become more proficient at 3-point shooting.
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